economy and that pending fiscal cliff. are we going to go over the fiscal cliff? >> you know, i remain optimistic that there are enough people of good will in this town that recognize our economy will be much better off, american families will be much better off if we get this done. the most important thing we can do is make sure middle class taxes don't go up on january 1. and i'm pretty confident that republicans would not hold middle class taxes hostage to try to protect tax cuts for high income individuals. >> prediction, are you going to be able to raise taxes, yes or no? >> taxes are going to go up one way or another. and i think the key is to make sure that taxes go up on the high end individuals like you and me, barbara. we can afford it. it is entirely possible for us to come up with a deal, but time is running short. >> how about this analysis. the obama administration wants to send a clear message that while it supports syria's coalition opposition, to lead syria's democratic transition when the assad regime falls, there is no place for extremism in the